Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq al Rabia, announced Monday that Saudi Arabia will not impose restrictions against pilgrims traveling to Mecca this year and will not limit the number of travelers in 2023, so participation will be similar to pre-pandemic times.
In line with the health situation in the face of the virus, Al Rabia has indicated that there will be no age restrictions for the pilgrimage, one of the most important moments in the religious life of Muslims, as reported on Twitter by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the major and minor pilgrimage.
Saudi Arabia allowed in 2022 one million Muslims resident and from abroad to travel to Mecca, which already implied a relaxation of the measures and an increase by 400,000 people compared to last year, although the numbers are not comparable to those recorded before the pandemic.
As one of the five pillars of Islam, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca is obligatory for physically and financially able Muslims to perform it at least once in their lifetime. The rituals involved serve to cleanse the soul and demonstrate the equality and solidarity of all Muslims in their submission to God.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
